Milagu Kuzhambu (Black Peppercorns and Tamarind Gravy)

Milagu kuzhambu is a South Indian dish. Milagu is pepper in Tamil. Kuzhambu is something like a soup/stew. It be made and served when one is recovering from fever or if the weather is very cold. It is typically had with plain rice or with curd rice., It is very spicy tasty dish.

Ingredients
Black Pepper pods - 1 tsp;
Dried red chillie - 6
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Bengal gram  - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
asafetida - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind - lemon sized
Oil-2 tsp
Salt - To taste
A few Curry leaves Manathakali vathal (Black Nightshade)or sundaikai vathal- 2 table spoons.
Method:

1.In a medium-sized heavy-bottomed container, heat some oil.
2. Toss the pepper, red chillies, bengal gram dal and the jeera into the container and fry for 2-3 minutes.
3.When they turn red, add curry leaves and fry a little. Add asafoetida to the container - it should sizzle.
4. Add the tamarind and some salt. Sprinkling water every now and then, grind until you have a paste that is smooth.
5. Back in the container, heat some oil. When hot, add 1 tsp mustard seeds and vathal.
6. Heat oil in a kadai and add the mustard seeds and allow it to splutter
7. Add the ground paste ,salt and a cup water and allow it to boil. and stir for 1-2 minutes.
8.Add enough water to the mix... Cover, simmer and cook till the raw smell of tamarind disappears.
9.Heat over slow fire and boil down until the content is semi-watery.or Until u get a thick kuzhambu.